Abstract This paper describes the causes, diagnosis and medications used to treat cardiovascularaccidents (CVAs), also known as strokes. The paper also gives an outline of the responsibilities of nurses caring for such patients and what is expected of them.
From the Paper "A stroke or cardiovascular accident causes damage to the brain when the blood supply is reduced or stopped completely usually by the bursting of a blood vessel or the occlusion of a vessel by a blood clot . A thrombotic stroke occurs when a blood clot forms in an artery and blocks the blood supply to part of the brain. An embolic stroke occurs when a blood clot or piece of plaque breaks away in another part of the body and blocks an artery in..."
Abstract This paper gives a brief discussion of dysphagia occurring after a cerebrovascular accident (CVA), or stroke. It details the process, the problems caused, and the therapy for such an event.
Abstract This essay examines the psychological characteristics and psychosocial factors associated with, or causative of, cardiovascular disease. The essay also addresses some models like the cardio reactivity model, psychoneuroimmunology, the role of the sympathetic nervous system in cardiovascular disease, and the HPA axis. The association of certain psychosocial risk factors such as depression leading to medical non-compliance is also dealt with.
Outline:
Introduction
Psychological Factors Associated With or Causative of Cardiovascular Disease
Psychosocial Factors
Cardio Reactivity Model
Psychoneuroimmunology
The Involvement of the Sympathetic Nervous System
The HPA Axis
Association of Psychosocial Risk Factors with Certain Health Behaviors
Conclusion
References
From the Paper "Psychological risk factors for coronary syndromes belong to three categories. These include: chronic, episodic, and acute psychological risk factors (Kop, 1999). Chronic psychological risk factors (like hostility) lead to a gradual progression of coronary artery disease. The temporal relation to coronary syndrome is 10 years and the associated cardiovascular risks include hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and increased sympathetic activation. The pathophysiology involves sympathetic activity and elevated lipids. The primary pathological result is atherosclerosis (Kop, 1999).
"Psychological risk factors, which occur episodically (like exhaustion) have a duration, which lasts from few months to two years and can occur again. The temporal relation to coronary syndrome is 2 years and the associated cardiovascular risks include increased blood clotting and inflammation, and a shift of sympatho-vagal balance. The pathophysiology involves sympatho-vagal imbalance, neurohormonal changes, and a procoagulant state. The primary pathological result is altered homeostasis (Kop, 1999)."
Abstract This paper answers a number of specific questions about the cardiovascular system, some of them structural, but many of them tracing blood flow paths through the body. A discussion of the systemic, pulmonary, and fetal circulations is included as well.
From the Paper "The pulmonary circulation takes de-oxygenated blood from the right ventricle to the lungs where it is re-oxygenated and returned to the left atrium. From here it passes into the left ventricle. The systemic circulation pumps blood from the left ventricle out to the rest of the body where it delivers oxygen to the tissues and picks up carbon dioxide for discharge from the body by the lungs. It returns the de- oxygenated blood to the right atrium. From here the blood passes into the right ventricle and into the..."
Abstract This paper explains that research has demonstrated that the psychosocial status of the individual is likely to correlate to their cardiovascular fitness. The author points out that positive social roles correlate to a positive status, while negative social roles lead to a lower level of status. The paper uses the Kolcaba Comfort Care Model to identify and promote positive psychosocial development in patients.
From the Paper "A growing body of data suggests that the emergence and severity of cardiovascular disease is contributed to by the psychosocial status of the body (Barry, 1996). The psychosocial status of the body refers to the correlation of social and psychological factors, and the impact that these factors have - both combined and separately - on the individual's physical status (Barry, 1996; Catherall, 2004). Data suggests that the psychosocial status of the individual has active correlates to the onset and development of heart disease, particularly cardiovascular failure (Drench, 2002; Catherall, 2004). "
Abstract "The paper discusses cardiovascular health, highlighting in brief the five basic cardiac systems: coronary arteries, peridardium, myocardium, endocardium and cardiac conductive system. The paper further examines the associated pathologies and NYHA classifications, and the psychological and vocational counseling implications for each of the cardiac categories presented.
From the Paper "Much can be said about cardiovascular health. As one of the leading causes of death and disability in both men and women, cardiovascular disease must be understood by those at risk, current patients and those in the health profession or allied helping professions seeking to offer assistance. Cardiovascular disease is often a silent killer that can strike without warning. It is often cited as the number one cause of death in men and women in the US. Reyes (2005) states that "at any given time, there are about 6 million Americans with symptoms of cardiovascular disease." "
Abstract This paper examines the race-associated differences in health outcomes among African-American women with CVD (Cardiovascular Disease). The paper explains that African Americans suffer greater incidence of cardiovascular disease, and women women suffer cardiovascular and peripheral vascular disease in greater numbers than men. The combination of the two: African-American women, suffer greater cardiovascular disease than the general population in the United States. The paper demonstrates that the above statements are true, and analyzes the causes for this discrepancy in cardiovascular diagnosis and care. The paper then looks at both the demographic as well as the socioeconomic and ethnological reasons for the difference in cardiovascular care. The paper also points out that women experience a greater amount of heart disease, and a lower level of treatment than men. This paper examines the reasons for that discrepancy as well.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Underlying Causes of Heart Disease
African-American Women and Heart Disease
Lifestyle, Heredity and Demographics
Differences in Medical Care
Differences in Demographics
Women's Lower Rate of CHD Treatment
African American Distrust of Physicians and the Medical System
Conclusion
Bibliography
From the Paper "Although death from coronary heart disease (CHD) is declining for both African Americans and white Americans, the rates are declining faster for white Americans than their Black counterparts. According to the AHA, the incidence of deaths by whites from CHD has declined 46% and 40% for white men and women, respectively, while it has declined 33% and 27% for African American men and women respectively from 1979 to 2002 (AORN, 2002). The AHA posited that the lower decline in the death rate from CHD for African Americans was due primarily to heredity and life style habits."
Abstract This paper discusses the topic of cardiovascular disease. The paper looks at how exercise affects the cardiovascular system in a positive way and how exercise also positively affects aging, obesity and the muscular and respiratory systems. The author states that scientists, researchers and physicians complete studies every year on the prevention of cardiovascular disease, and consistently, these studies show exercise can play an important part in reducing the instance of cardiovascular disease.
From the Paper "Exercise should be an important part of everyone's life, because it is simply good for everyone. It is well known, even among sedentary Americans, that exercise has a positive affect on the heart and lungs, and it can improve heart health. Many physicians and experts acknowledge that aerobic exercise is extremely effective in promoting heart health. These doctors note, "This would appear also to be the case in understanding the relationship between reactivity and aerobic fitness. One of the consequences of aerobic-exercise training is a reduction in resting heart rate and blood pressure" (McCabe, Schneiderman, Field, & Wellens, 2000, p. 197). Reducing the heart rate and blood pressure leads to better cardiovascular health, and can help, along with a healthy diet, maintain this cardiovascular health throughout life."
Abstract Cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of mortality in the industrialized world. At the same time, high blood cholesterol is known to be a risk factor for heart disease. Decreasing total blood cholesterol can have a profound effect, reducing the incidence of coronary heart disease by close to 30%. Further, there is a wide variety of research that links blood cholesterol levels to heart disease and mortality. This paper presents a design for a study that aims to add to this body of evidence by investigating the impact of decreased cholesterol consumption on mortality from cardiovascular disease.
From the Paper "In each facility, 1,000 research subjects will be recruited using voluntary recruitment procedures. Advertisements for volunteers will be placed in local newspapers, community message boards, and clinic and emergency waiting rooms. Subjects will range in age upwards from 21 years of age. Subjects will not be excluded from the study on any medical or other grounds. This wide range of subjects and large sample size will allow researchers to correlate cholesterol intake with a number of other factors, including age, sex, race, place of residence, and other medical conditions."
Abstract This paper discusses the impoverished communities in the United States in terms of their vulnerability as a population in relation to cardiovascular care. The paper explains that this population generally does not have health care and for those individuals that cannot be covered by either Medicare or Medicaid, their vulnerability is increased significantly. Major health concerns such as cardiovascular disease often lead to patients that do not receive care because of the cost and availability of services.
Abstract This paper examines the problem of alcohol-related accidents, underage drinking and its effects on the number of driving accidents in New Jersey and nationwide. The paper attempts to answer the question: Does the legal drinking age affect the number of driving accidents that involve alcohol in New Jersey? The paper concludes that raising the minimum age when people can purchase and consume alcohol has been shown to positively affect the rate of accidents involving alcohol and the young.
Contents:
Introduction
Background
Legal Definition of Driving While Under the Influence
Zero Tolerance Law
Effectiveness of Minimum Legal Drinking Age Laws in Reducing Alcohol Related Traffic Accidents and Deaths
Conclusion
From the Paper "According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation, (NHTSA), there were 2,160 teen drunk-driving crashes in the United States in 2001 (latest available statistics) The measure represents the total number of people (occupants and non-occupants) killed in crashes in which at least one teenage (16-20) driver had a BAC of .08 or higher. While teens killed because of drinking and driving remains unacceptable at any number, the total represents a 35% decline since 1990 and a full 60% since 1982."
Abstract This paper explains that cardiovascular diseases can be prevented by eating healthfully, participating regularly in aerobic activity, and by not smoking. The paper describes a diet that is heart healthy and stresses the importance of physical aerobic activity and the avoidance of cigarettes.
From the Paper "Nearly twenty percent of the American population has a form of Cardiovascular Disease. In 2002, thirty-five percent of the deaths in the United States were related to heart and blood vessel diseases according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC). Cardiovascular Disease includes Coronary Heart Disease, atherosclerosis, high blood pressure, and stroke. Some causes for Cardiovascular Disease can be attributed to physical inactivity, unhealthy nutritional planning, smoking, and age."
A review of the limitations of "Prevalence and Cardiovascular Disease Correlates of Low Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Adolescents and Adults," written by Mercedes R. Carnethon, Martha Gulati and Philip Greenland.
Abstract This paper discusses and reviews the article, "Prevalence and Cardiovascular Disease Correlates of Low Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Adolescents and Adults," written by Mercedes R. Carnethon, Martha Gulati and Philip Greenland. It discusses the purpose of the study, the results and conclusions and the limitations of the study's methods.
From the Paper "The age selection was quite broad, so the study could control for other fitness factors relating to age impinging upon the results. But there is an obvious weakness in using such a large sampling. The population size is so diluted and generalized in its composition that the conclusions drawn from the study may be too vague to be of prescriptive use. To conduct the study, the authors submitted the test subjects to submaximal treadmill testing so they reached at least 75% to 90% of their age-predicted maximum heart rate. Maximal oxygen consumption, or VO2 max, was estimated by measuring their heart rate response to their effort. Low levels of fitness were defined by using percentile cut-off points of estimated VO2 max from existing external referent populations. In other words, the VO2 max definitions of fitness were derived purely from preexisting literature and studies. Similarly, the other physical and laboratory CVD risk factors measured according to standard methods were derived from preexisting literature."
Abstract The paper describes the case of an American-Indian, morbidly obese, male patient who practiced unhealthy eating habits, did little or no exercise, had no health insurance and was employed as a cook. The paper further relates that the patient had a brother who was also obese, he smoked, had poor coping strategies when dealing with stress and was easily depressed and withdrawn. The paper therefore shows how this patient presented with risk factors that made cardiovascular (CV) disease inevitable even at his early age.
From the Paper "This is a case of C. V., a 28 year old, American Indian, and morbidly obese male patient at weighing at 292 lbs. He was admitted on April 10, 2008 due to abdominal pain, and subsequently succumbed to respiratory failure. His family history reveals that he has one brother who is also obese, a smoker, and is unemployed. The patient had observed unhealthy eating habits, and did little or no exercise. He had no health insurance, and was employed as a cook. He smoked 2 packs per day. He had poor coping strategies when dealing with stress, and was easily depressed and withdrawn. He was bedridden throughout his stay in the hospital."
Abstract This paper discusses the unfortunately common occurrence of children being severely injured in home-related accidents. The paper contends that the majority of these accidents could have been prevented by implementing minimal safety measures. Statistics are provided regarding the number of children injured in accidents within the home in the United Kingdom. The paper outlines basic safety measures that should be taken to prevent these accidents.
From the Paper "It is an unfortunate fact that accidents affect young children within their own homes everywhere in the world, and if the adults had taken a mite more care and acted more responsibly, countless number of lives would have been saved, and quite a few instances of injury involving small children could have been prevented. In the United Kingdom alone, it is reported that about 320 children under the age of fourteen died of home-related accidents, mainly by poisoning and injuries due to various other reasons, in the year 2002. This is a figure that shows that more children die due to home-related accidents than of fatal diseases like leukemia and meningitis. These are the types of accidents that may occur to a child within the home: a fall or a trip, either at the same level, or from one level to another. Burns and scalds was another major risk within the home, and either hot drinks or fires caused most of these accidents. Poisoning was another important cause for the death of small children, and this is something that can be easily prevented with the minimum amount of safety measures. (How Many Children are injured in Accidents?) "
